Gap and Overlap Tips Every Quilter Needs to Know

This beautiful quilt is a great example of a quilt full of rows attached to a center. Each row requires careful layout and measurement to fit just right. Triangle Tango is illustrates making do! This quilt was deliberately pieced with creative play in mind. Look at the fun examples of ways the rows work themselves out.

If you find yourself in a predicament with rows that won’t work themselves out, take a look at a few of these clever suggestions to fill the gap or handle an overlap.

No. 1 – Split the difference

Measure the row against the center. If the row is short, figure out how much you need to fill the gap. Divide that number in half – one for each end of the row! Add seam allowances and you are back in business!

No. 2 – Make a statement

If the row is short, figure the gap needed to fill and add seam allowances. Make a special block to fill the space by sewing colorful strips of fabric together. Trim the special block to fit, and sew it to one end of the row.

No. 3 – Add squares

If the row is short, figure the gap needed to fill and divide the number in half. After adding seam allowances, figure out how many squares it would take to fill each space. Create two blocks of squares for each end of the row.

No. 4 – Chop a block

If the row is short, figure out the gap space and divide the number in half. Add seam allowances, then add the two numbers together to determine a block width. Find a left over block (or create one) that will cover the width. Cut it in half. Sew one half on one end and one half on the other.

No. 5 – Fussy cut additions

If the row is short, figure out the gap space and divide the number in half. Add seam allowances. Hunt through your stash for fun fabric with critters or small design elements to hide in the gaps. Add one to each end.

No. 6 – Chop evenly

If the row is too long, cut a bit from each end equally.

No. 7 – Chop unevenly

If the row is too long, lop one end off.

No. 8 – Cut down and add on

If the row is too long, it may be better to remove a block from the row making it too short, then use one of the above suggestions for handling a short row.

My Quilt Story Project

Life is just like the rows described above, sometimes things don’t work out just right and require a little creativity. As you move toward putting your quilt story quilt together, collect ideas, fabrics, and blocks to help fill the gaps in your quilt.

Want to catch up on the rest of the project? Here are the details:

Between now and Fall Paducah in September, we invite you on a special creative adventure. Each week we will offer you ideas, techniques, blocks, and embellishments to help you tell your quilt story in stitches.

Hi Kara, Triangle Tango is shown in the book, Free Range Triangle Quilts by Gwen Marston and Cathy Jones on pg 82. It is shown to illustration variations for triangle quilts. There is no pattern. That being said, the book does an excellent job of teaching you how to do improvisational piecing with triangles. It wouldn’t be too difficult to figure out and create your own version. Let me know if you give it a try, I’d love to see your version! Thanks, Betsey